It's made plain in small ways at first. It's there in the somber tone taken by Alfieri (the engaging Roger Alvarez), the neighborhood lawyer who serves as narrator. And it's there in a look that Beatrice (Belinda Harolds) shoots her husband Eddie (Scott Leibowitz) as she watches him interact with their niece Catherine (Brandi Hollsten). He may be able to lie to himself that his interest in the young woman is strictly avuncular, but Bea knows better. When her cousins arrive from Italy — bubbly, chatty Rodolpho (Jared Stephens) and watchful Marco (Rusty Thurman) — and Catherine takes a shine to one of them, it becomes virtually impossible for Eddie to keep his feelings tamped down. Those feelings drive the action, leading to betrayal and, ultimately, violence.

Everything depends on the strength of Leibowitz's portrayal of Eddie. And he is marvelous. He clearly conveys Eddie's roiling emotions — his facial expressions and movements change as the action progresses and he becomes more consumed by them.

The rest of the cast is on the money, as well. The relationships are all vividly portrayed — there are oceans of information about Eddie and Bea's marriage in Harolds' facial expressions. And Stephens and Thurman both capture the yearning of two men willing to take huge risks to improve their lives.

Director Jim Mammarella expertly maintains tension throughout the evening, building toward the tragic finale. The pacing illustrates Alfieri's assertion that there was no way to stop the tragedy from unfolding.

The fight scenes are well-choreographed. The final explosive battle, in particular, has a scary, anything-could-happen energy. All of that is heightened by the intimacy of the Vexler, which Mammarella uses to fine effect.

Ken Frazier has done his standard bang-up job on the set, creating a well-thought-out space for the story.

It's a compelling, powerful show.

“A View from the Bridge” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and 8 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 25, with additional performances at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 26, at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre, 12500 NW Military Highway. Tickets cost $14 to $20. Call 210-302-6835 for reservations.